Morris Oxford flatnose

Morris Oxford

Oxford flatnose tourer 1927
Overview
Manufacturer Morris Motors
British Motor Corporation
British Leyland
Production 1913-1914
1919–1935
1948-1971
Body and chassis
Class Small car

Morris Oxford is a series of motor car models produced by Morris Motors of the United Kingdom, from the 1913 bullnose Oxford to the Farina Oxfords V and VI.

Named by W R Morris after the city of dreaming spires, the university town in which he grew up, the manufacture of Morris's Oxford cars would turn Oxford into an industrial city.

From 1913 to mid-1935 Oxford cars grew in size and quantity. In 1923 they with the Cowley cars were 28.1 per cent of British private car production. In 1925 Morris sold near double the number and they represented 41 per cent of British production. The model name was recycled in 1948 and lasted almost another 23 years through to 1971 but in this time the market sector and engine-size remained nearly constant between 1476 cc and 1622 cc.

Aside from the Oxford Sixes and the Oxford Empire models all Oxfords since 1918 have been 12 or 14 HP cars of about 1500 to 1800 cc..

Oxford flatnose 1926–30

Oxford flatnose

Oxford 4-door saloon 1927
Overview
Production 1926–30 (4-cylinder)
32,282 made.[1]
Body and chassis
Body style

4-door tourer

  • 4-door saloon
  • 4-door fabric saloon
  • 2-door coupé
  • chassis only
Powertrain
Engine 1802 cc side-valve Straight-4
Dimensions
Wheelbase 106.5 in (2,710 mm)[2]
Chronology
Predecessor Morris Oxford bullnose
Successor Morris Oxford Six


The distinctive bullnose radiator was dropped in 1926 in an updated version of the car. The engines remained the same but a new range of bodies was offered including all-steel saloons.[3]

The frame was changed to allow half-elliptic springs to be fitted in place of the old three-quarter elliptic springs. The back end of the frame was given a deeper channel section, it now sweeps up over the rear axle. The frame also receives bracing from the running board brackets and cross hangers.[2]

The radiator cooling surface has been increased sixty per cent and the whole assembly given the flat-fronted shape which would lead to this car's popular name.[2]

A new all-steel dash or bulkhead now creates a firm location for bodywork and a solid support for the petrol tank. As part of that redesign a new instrument panel is provided with neatly grouped meters and glove boxes either side. The hand controls on the steering column have been upgraded. There is now a dash-operated ventilator.[2]

Equipment includes:[2]

4-door tourer registered October 1927
2-seater drophead coupé registered Jun 1927

References

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Sedgwick, M.; Gillies (1989). A-Z of cars of the 1930s. UK: Bay View Books. ISBN 1-870979-38-9.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 The Motor Show. The Times, Monday, Oct 25, 1926; pg. 24; Issue 44411
  3. ↑ Baldwin, N. (1994). A-Z of cars of 1920s. UK: Bay View Books. ISBN 1-870979-53-2.

Bibliography

  • Davis, Pedr (1986). The Macquarie Dictionary of Motoring.
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